Free Printable Sun Craft for Kids (+ Gratitude Activity)
This sun craft for kids is a simple summer activity that gets kids thinking about what they like and are thankful for. It’s print-and-go, versatile, and mess free!
I originally made this craft to have a fun activity for a weather unit in my preschool classroom.
Then, I adapted it for our family’s summer solstice celebration a few years ago.
I wanted something low-prep that my kids could make together. Something that felt a little more intentional than just another cut-and-paste project.
We already do a thankful tree at Thanksgiving, so I thought why not something similar for summer?
This gratitude sun craft was born out of that idea, and it’s been a hit.
The free printable is at the bottom of this post. But first, let me walk you through how it works and ALL the ways you can use it.
What Is a Gratitude Sun Craft
With this printable paper sun craft, kids write things that make them happy on each sun ray. Family, pets, ice cream, the pool — whatever they’re thankful for.
It’s an easy way to practice gratitude (without it feeling heavy or forced) on the first day of summer or any time of year.
The sun has a big circle in the center and rectangular rays around it. Kids cut out the pieces (large with thick lines for easy cutting!), assemble the sun, and glue it to the printable template or a piece of construction paper (build those fine motor skills!).
Don’t worry, if you’re short on time, there’s also a sun worksheet that’s print-and-go.
Why This Sun Craft for Kids Works So Well
I’ve done a lot of crafts with kids over the years (sooo many!), and the ones that stick around are the ones that are flexible and actually doable without a lot of prep.
Here’s why I like this one:
- Low prep. Print and go. That’s it.
- Builds real skills. It’s a fine motor skills dream. Coloring, cutting, and gluing. Add in writing (or dictation) on the rays and now you’re covering language and reflection skills too.
- Works for a wide age range. I’ve done this craft with toddlers through upper elementary. It works for all ages, just requires a bit more help with littles. I share more about how I’ve used this with different ages below.
- Totally flexible. It adapts to whatever you need.
- Use it as a worksheet or a full cut-and-paste craft
- Color and blackline versions
- Individual and group activity
- At home, in the classroom, at a summer camp…it works anywhere
- Meaningful. It’s a fun craft, but it also gets kids to think positively about what’s important to them and their likes and dislikes
What You Need
Not much, which is part of why I love it.
- Free printable gratitude sun template (available at the bottom of this post)
- Scissors
- Glue or gluestick
- Crayons, markers, and/or colored pencils (optional)
- White paper or cardstock (optional)
That’s it, and you probably already have what you need. YES!
How to Make the Sun Craft
You have two options depending on how much time you have: the all-in-one worksheet, or the cut-and-paste version. Both are in the same free printable.
Here’s how it goes:
Step 1: Download and print
Download the free printable at the bottom of this post and choose the pages you want. You can print the sun in full color or the blackline version — the blackline saves ink and gives kids a chance to color it themselves.
Step 2: Color (if using the blackline version)
Color the sun circle and rectangular rays. Some kids will be really creative here.
Step 3: Cut out the shapes
Cut out the sun’s circle face and each rectangular ray. I made this activity for preschoolers, so the shapes are big and simple with thick borders. Build those scissor skills!
Step 4: Assemble the sun
Glue the face and rays onto the “I am grateful for” template or another piece of paper. If you’re doing this as a family/class/group, use the “We are grateful for” template.
Tip: I always showed the kids a finished example in the beginning of the activity when I was doing this in my classroom. That way they know what it can look like when it’s finished and it gives them something to reference while they’re making their sun. To save time, just print the color worksheet version to use as a ready to go example.
Step 5: Add gratitude to the rays
On each sun ray, have kids write something they’re grateful for. For younger kids, have them tell you their ideas and you can write it for them while they watch.
Some common themes that come up in the summer:
- Family
- Pets
- Friends
- Summer favorites: the pool, beach, vacation, camping, lake
- Cold treats: ice cream, popsicles
- Activities they love: sports, playground, books, art, video games
And if they want, they can personalize the middle of the sun with their name, the year, or make a smiley face.
Grab the Free Sun Craft Printable
Fun Ways to Use This Sun Craft With Kids
This craft really does work all year. Afterall, it’s a sun!
- Summer solstice celebration. Do this activity in June to celebrate the first day of summer either individually or as a family.
- Weather and seasons unit. Perfect for preschool, kindergarten and first grade students learning about the seasons. You can skip the gratitude part if you want.
- S is for Sun — alphabet curriculum. Use the template as part of your letter S week.
- Summer camp. Camp counselors can use the “We are grateful for” version to make a collaborative group sun that captures what everyone loved about their experience.
- Quiet, hot afternoon activity. Sometimes you just need something calm and easy to do when it’s so hot outside. This is that craft. You better believe I’ll be writing down A/C on one of my rays!
- Painting activity. It’s a bit messier, but my kids love to paint, so it’s worth it.
- Print the blackline version.
- Cut and glue it to the cardstock.
- Paint the sun.
- Let the paper dry.
- Write the gratitude words.
What Age is This Craft For?
This activity works for preschool through upper elementary, with some simple adjustments depending on age.
- Toddlers: They can color their sun and draw a face in the center (or you can help them write their name).
- Preschool and Kindergarten: This craft is made for this age. The lines are thick so they can cut and glue the shapes easily. You may need to help them with writing.
- First grade and older: Write short sentences or design their own sun after showing them an example.
Frequently Asked Questions
What skills does this sun craft help to develop?
- Fine motor skills: coloring, cutting, gluing
- Language development: sharing thoughts through drawing or writing
- Social-emotional learning: reflection and gratitude practice
- Group cooperation: the “We are grateful” version works great as a collaborative activity
This activity has a lot going for it, and kids enjoy it as a fun summer craft.
What are some other gratitude activities for kids?
Here are a few ideas:
- Gratitude jar: drop notes of thankfulness throughout the week and read them together at the end of the week (here’s an example).
- Thankful tree craft at Thanksgiving
- Share one positive thing from the day at dinner or before bed
- Write or draw a thank-you note after receiving a gift
Download Your Free Sun Craft Printable
Ready to make one? The free printable includes:
- Sun craft template: color and blackline (save ink & let kids color) versions
- Blank templates: “I am grateful for” and “We are grateful for” prompts
- Ready-to-print worksheets: includes both individual and group prompts
- Individual prompt: “I am grateful for…”
- Group prompt: “We are grateful for…”
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I hope your kids love making this as much as mine do. It’s definitely fridge worthy.
Happy crafting! 🙂
